Modular shelving system for food service storage

ABSTRACT

A modular shelving system comprising a plurality of modular shelf units, each shelf unit comprising a planar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of the upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively; and a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of the upper, lower, and rear surfaces, the outer edges of the end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with the lips of the upper and lower surfaces. The shelf units are stackable vertically and horizontally to completely cover the walls of a room. Preferably, the lower surface of each shelf unit has sloped grooves made integral therewith which extend downwardly from the rear surface to the outer edge of the lower surface to permit drainage of fluids on the lower surface. A plurality of stand-off abutments made integral with the rear surface and the end walls prevent contact between objects resting on the lower surface and the end walls and the rear surface. The outer edge of the lower surface may terminate in an upwardly facing, generally U-shaped trough to receive the fluids conducted to the outer edge of the lower surface by the sloped grooves.

United States Patent 1 Frazelle et al.

1 Sept. 30, 1975 1 1 MODULAR SHELVING SYSTEM FOR FOOD SERVICE STORAGE [75] Inventors: Ronald B. Frazelle, Fountain Valley;

Neal B. Fuller, Anaheim, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: PBR Company, Anaheim, Calif.

[22] Filed: June 17, 1974 [211 Appl. No: 480,210

[52] U.S. Cl. 108/153; 108/59; 220/234;

206/509 [51] Int. Cl. A47B 57/00 [58] Field of Search 312/198, 214, 330, 107;

Primary E.\'umincr.lames T. McCall Attorney, Agent, or FirmPhilip M. Hinderstein [57] ABSTRACT A modular shelving system comprising a plurality of modular shelf units, each shelf unit comprising a pla nar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of the upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively; and a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of the upper, lower, and rear surfaces, the outer edges of the end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with the lips of the upper and lower surfaces. The shelf units are stackable vertically and horizontally to completely cover the walls of a room. Preferably, the lower surface of each shelf unit has sloped grooves made integral therewith which extend downwardly from the rear surface to the outer edge of the lower surface to permit drainage of fluids on the lower surface. A plurality of stand-off abutments made integral with the rear surface and the end walls prevent contact between objects resting on the lower surface and the end walls and the rear surface. The outer edge of the lower surface may terminate in an upwardly facing, generally U-shaped trough to receive the fluids conducted to the outer edge of the lower surface by the sloped grooves.

17 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,908,566 h US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,908,566

unuri US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,908,566

I m P MODULAR SHELVING SYSTEM FOR FOOD SERVICE STORAGE BACKGROUND or INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a modular shelving system for food service storage and, more particularly, to a modular shelving system comprising a plurality of vertically and horizontally stackableushelfunits, each shelf unit including a rear surface, upper and lower surfaces, and enclosing end walls.

2. Description of the Prior Art Available modular shelving systems are predomi: nantly of two types. Thefirst type'generallyincludes a perforated channel and interlocking support brackets which are connectable thereto for supporting horizontal support members. Such shelving systems are difficult and time consuming to install. In addition, the only way to provide a series of continuous shelves over a substantial distance is to place the shelves end to end. Furthermore, since the back of the shelving system is open, it is only suitable for use with finished walls. Finally, such a shelving system has not been regarded-as suitable for use in refrigerated areas for storage of food products. I

The other common type of shelving system. is the free standing type, typically fabricated from metallic members which are assembled to provide individual shelves and a supporting frame. Such a shelving system has'all of the disadvantages of the system using perforated channels but has the advantage of ruggedness, making it suitable for use in commercial and industrial applications.

In both cold and dry storage areas forfood products, it is desirable to provide-air circulation around food containers to prevent uneven'c'oolin'g of the food products therein.'Thus, shelving systems-have been made with slotted andlouver'ed shelves to permit air circulation around the bottom surfaces of food containers. However, slotted and louvered shelves are generally unsatisfactory because the food can fall through the slots and into a container on a shelf below. Furthermore, where the grooves are enclosed toiprevent this, they are generally horizontal and the food accumulates within the grooves.

No means has been provided heretofore for preventing contact between food containers and the wallthat the shelving system is connected to. As a result, food accumulating on the edge of containers contactsthe wall where it accumulates, growing'bacteria."Furthermore, the contact between the food containers and the wall prevents complete air circulation around the'containers and, as mentioned previously, this prevents even cooling of the food products therein.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,604, issued Oct.. 19, 1971, to Ronald J. Butler, there is disclosed a display unit having substantially hollow cantilever shelves which are an integral part of a support surface for mounting'to a vertically disposed structure such as -a wall or studs. Such a display unit substantially -improve's"conve'ntional' shelving systems in that" it is attractive, can be easily and readily mounted to a support structure, and since the display unit includes not only the shelves but an integral support surface, it can be mounted directly to wall studs, eliminating the necessity "for a finished wall. Other advantages are set forth in the specification of said patent.

On the other hand, the display unit of the Butler pa-.

tent is limited by its construction to primarily domestic applications. That is, the display unit of the Butler patent has a single set of shelves, which shelves are limited in their lengths. For commercial applications where, for example, it is desired to line a storage room with shelves, the display unit of Butler does not have the flexibility to cover an entire wall or to provide continuous shelves around an inside or outside corner.

In our co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 480221, filed currently herewith, for Continuous Modular. Shelving System, there is described a modular shelving system having all of the advantages of the Butler display unit but further having the capability of providing continuous shelves for any length of wall. Furthermore, the shelving system of our co-pending application has the capability of providing continuous shelves around both inside and outside corners of a support structure.

Thus, the modular shelving system of our co-pending application has substantial utility in commercial and industrial applications, but primarily for the dry storage of non-food items such as linens, boxes and the like. The modular shelving system of our co-pending application is not adapted for the particular problems discussed above for storage of food products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a modular shelving system having all of the advantages of the shelving system of our co-pending application but further being ideally suited for the storage of food products. The present shelving system supports food products in a manner which permits complete air circulation around the containers of the food products to insure even cooling of the food products therein. The present shelving system prevents contact between the food containers and the walls, preventing food accumulation and the growth of bacteria. The present shelving system conducts food which drips onto the support surfaces via grooves and troughs to a central accumulation point. The present shelf units are easy to clean and maintain clean.

Briefly, the present modular shelving system comprises a plurality of shelf units, each shelf unit comprising a planar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; upper and lower planarsurfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of the upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively; and a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of the upper, lower, and rear surfaces, the outer edges of the end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with the lips of the upper and lower surfaces. By stacking the shelf units vertically and horizontally, the walls of a room may be covered with shelves, from floor to ceiling.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower surface of each shelf unit has grooves made integral therewith, the grooves extending in parallel, spaced-apart, downwardly sloping relationship from the rear surface to the outer edge of the lower surface .to permit drainage of fluids on the lower surface. Furthermore, the outer edge of the lower surface terminates in an upwardly facing, generally U-shaped trough to receive the fluids conducted to the outer edge of the lower surface by the sloped grooves. By providing the rear surface and the end walls with a plurality of standoff abutments, contact is prevented between objects resting on the lower surface and the end walls and the rear surface of each shelf unit. Finally, it is possible to make a plurality of modular shelf units in an integral vertical stack for certain applications.

OBJECTS It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a modular shelving system for food service storage.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular shelving system comprising a plurality of vertically and horizontally stackable shelf units, each shelf unit including a rear surface, upper and lower surfaces, and enclosing end walls.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a modular shelving system for food service storage which permits complete air circulation around all food containers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular shelving system for food service storage including sloped, grooved shelves and an integral drip trough for permitting drainage of fluids on the shelves.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a modular shelving system for food service storage which prevents contact between objects resting on the shelf surfaces and the end walls and rear surfaces of the shelving system.

Still other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts in the several figures and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelving system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, including plural shelf units stacked horizontally and vertically;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the shelf units of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 2, but showing a plurality of shelf units stacked vertically and made integrally and showing several possible modifications to each shelf unit;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a plurality of vertically stacked shelf units of the type shown in FIG. 2, showing the relationship therebetween;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view taken in the direction of line 55 in FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views taken along the lines 6-6 and 77, respectively, in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings and, more particu larly, to FIGS. 1-2 thereof, there is shown a shelving system, generally designated 10, including plural shelf units, such as the shelf unit designated 15. Shelf unit includes a planar rear surface 16 adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface, such as a wall 12. Shelf unit 15 further comprises upper and lower planar surfaces 17 and 18, respectively, made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively of rerr surface 16 and extending generally perpendicular thereto. The outer edges of upper and lower surfaces 17 and 18, respectively, terminate in upwardly and downwardly turned lips 19 and 20, respectively, for reasons which will appear more fully hereinafter.

Shelf unit 15 includes a pair of planar end walls 21 and 22 which are made integral with the side edges of upper, lower, and rear surfaces 17, 18, and 16, respectively, and which extend generally perpendicular thereto. The outer edges of end walls 21 and 22 terminate in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips 23 and 24, respectively, which are made integral with lips 19 and 20 of upper and lower surfaces 17 and 18, respectively. Thus, each shelf unit consists of a completely selfcontained modular compartment providing a lower surface 18 for receipt of storage items and enclosing rear, upper, and end surfaces. Shelf unit 15 is adapted to be mounted with rear surface 16 contacting wall 12 in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a modular shelving system 10 is formed by providing a plurality of modular shelf units, such as shelf unit 15, and by stacking such shelf units vertically with the respective rear surfaces 16 and end walls 21 and 22 coplanar, with the upper and lower surfaces 17 and 18, respectively, generally parallel, and with the downwardly turned lip 20 of the lower surface 18 of each shelf 15, except the lowermost shelf unit 15, contacting the upwardly turned lip 19 of the upper surface 17 of the shelf unit 15 positioned immediately therebelow. Furthermore, a plurality of vertically stacked shelf units 15 may be positioned side by side, with the sidewardly turned lips 23 of end walls 21 of each shelf unit 15 contacting the sidewardly turned lips 24 of the end walls 22 of adjacent shelf units 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shelf units of shelving system 10 may have slight variations in shape without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, shelving system 10 may include a shelf unit 25 which is, in all material respects, identical to shelf unit 15 and has the same width thereas. However, shelf unit 25 has a greater height than shelf unit 15 and also has a greater depth. Therefore, in order to use a shelf unit such as shelf unit 15 and a shelf unit such as shelf unit 25 in the same vertical stack, shelving system 10 may include a shelf unit 26. Shelf unit 26 is, in all material respects, identical to shelf units 15 and 2S and has the same width thereas. However, lower surface 18 of shelf unit 26 is deeper than upper surface 17 thereof, lower surface 18 of shelf unit 26 having the same depth as upper and lower surfaces 17 and 18, respectively, of shelf unit 25 and upper surface 17 of shelf unit 26 having the same depth as upper and lower surfaces 17 and 18, respectively, of shelf unit 15. Furthermore, the outer edges of end walls 21 and 22 of shelf unit 26 are sloped so as to meet upper and lower surfaces 17 and 18, respectively.

Finally, the shelf units of shelving system 10 may be formed in a manner which adapts them for mounting to outside and inside corners of a vertically disposed support surface, such as wall 12, in the same manner as described in our beforementioned co-pending patent application. Thus, and as shown in FIG. 1, shelving system 10 may include a shelf unit 27 in which the rear surface 16 thereof is generally L-shaped to conform to a comer of wall 12, shelf unit 27 generally having the same dimensions as shelf unit 15. In like manner, shelving sys tem may include L-shaped shelf units 28 and 29, having dimensions generally corresponding to shelf units 25 and 26, respectively. It will be further obvious to those skilled in the art that shelf units may be provided for mounting to an outside corner of wall 12 in the same manner as connecting units 40D of our beforementioned co-pending application mount to the outside corner of a wall.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each shelf unit 15 and -29 is separate from all other shelf units, for reasons which will appear more fully hereinafter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the shelf units of the present shelving system 10 may be interconnected to form a shelf section, generally designated 30, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, shelf section includes a plurality of shelf units 31, 32, and 33 positioned in vertically aligned relationship with the downwardly turned lips 34 and 35 of lower surfaces 36 and 37, respectively, of shelf units 31 and 32, respectively, being made integral with the upwardly turned lips 38 and 39 of the upper surfaces 40 and 41, respectively, of shelf units 32 and 33, respectively. A similar construction will apply to all shelf units except the lowermost one. Furthermore, the sidewardly turned lips 42, 43, and 44 on one side of shelf units 31-33, respectively, are made integral with each other as are the sidewardly turned lips 45-47 on the other side of shelf units 31-33, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper, lower, and rear surfaces and end walls of shelf unit 32 are entirely planar. This is the simplest form of shelf unit and may be the manner in which the shelf units discussed previously are made. Alternatively, and in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, lower surface 18 of each shelf unit, such as shelf unit 15, has grooves made integral therewith, grooves 50 extending in parallel, spaced apart relationship from rear surface 16 to the outer edge of lower surface 18. Furthermore, lower surface 18 is preferably perpendicular to rear surface 16 so as to extend horizontally when shelf unit 15 is mounted in contact with wall 12 and the base of each groove 50 is sloped forwardly so as to provide plural forwardly inclined surfaces. Thus, shelf unit 15 becomes ideally suited for use in the storage of food products in that grooves 50 in surface 18 permit air circulation between the bottom of a food container and surface 18 insuring the even cooling thereof. Furthermore, sloped grooves 50 permit drainage to the outer edge of lower surface 18 of any fluids which may fall onto lower surface 18.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each shelf unit of shelving system 10, such as shelf unit 15, includes a plurality of stand-off abutments 51 arranged coplanar and made integral with rear surface 16 and end walls 21 and 22. Abutments 51 in end walls 21 and 22 extend towards each other and abutments 51 in rear surface 16 extend towards the outer edge of lower surface 18. Furthermore, all of abutments 51 are spaced closely adjacent lower surface 18 of shelf unit 15. Thus, abutments 51 prevent contact between objects resting on lower surface 18 and rear surface 16 and end walls 21 and 22. Again, this insures good air circulation around food containers to insure even cooling of food products therein.

As shown in FIG. 3, a shelf unit, such as shelf unit 31, may be provided with grooves 52 and abutments 53 and with no other changes to the basic configuration shown as shelf unit 32. Such a shelf unit is satisfactory for many applications. On the other hand, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7, a still further modification may be made to the shelf units of shelving system 10 for use in the storage of food products. More specifically, each shelf unit of shelving system 10, such as shelf unit 15, may have the outer edge of lower surface 18 terminate in an upwardly facing, generally U-shaped trough 55, one side of which is formed by downwardly turned lip 20. Thus, the fluids conducted to lip 20 of lower surface 18 by sloped grooves 50 will be deposited into trough 55, preventing the dripping thereof onto shelf units positioned below shelf unit 15. Where each shelf unit of shelving system 10 includes an integral trough 55 and a plurality of shelf units are stacked vertically as described previously, the upwardly turned lip 19 of the upper surface 17 of each shelf unit, except the up permost shelf unit, contacts the U-shaped trough 55 of the lower surface 18 of the shelf unit positioned immediately thereabove. This construction is shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 5-7, the outer edges 56 and 57 of sidewardly turned lips 23 and 24, respectively, of end walls 21 and 22, respectively, of shelf units 15 and 2529 may be offset rearwardly by an amount at least equal to the thickness of lips 23 and 24 and horizontally adjacent shelf units are adapted to be positioned with outer edges 56 and 57 in contact. Thus, adjacent contacting outer edges 56 and 57 of sidewardly turned lips 23 and 24, respectively, form a continuous vertical channel 58 between each vertical stack of shelf units. Furthermore, when horizontally adjacent shelf units are so positioned, the troughs 55 of adjacent shelf units are positioned end to end, thereby forming a plurality of continuous horizontal troughs from one vertical stack of shelf units to another. Finally, each U-shaped trough 55 of each shelf unit 15 and 25-29 has a pair of generally semi-circular openings 59 and 60 at the opposite ends thereof, adjacent the sidewardly turned lips 23 and 24, respectively, so that adjacent openings 59 and 60 of horizontally aligned shelf units join to form a single opening 61 in the continuous trough 55 between adjacent shelf units of shelving system 10.

It should be apparent that openings 61 are aligned with vertical channels 58 formed in lips 23 and 24 of end walls 21 and 22, respectively. Thus, grooves 50 in lower surfaces 18 of shelf units 15 and 25 29 conduct fluids falling on surfaces 18 to troughs 55 where they are conducted to openings 59 and 60 at the opposite ends thereof. Upon passage through opening 61, such fluids are conducted by vertical channels 58 to the floor beneath shelving system 10 where such fluids may be readily accumulated for disposal.

Any one of a number of techniques may be used to secure shelf units 15 and 25-29 and shelf section 30 to wall 12. For example, rear surfaces 16 of all shelf units may be cemented to wall 12 using any suitable type of cement. Thereafter a conventional heating tool or a conventional cement may be used to fuse the joints between shelf units 15 and 25-29 making a solid, one piece, shelf system.

Other types of attaching methods will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The shelf units may be secured to wall 12 by means of nails, screws, toggle bolts, and the like. Furthermore, the shelf units may be connected either to a wall 12 or directly to wall studs or any other vertically disposed support surface. The general dimensions of each shelf unit are not critical but such units are ideally sized for usual installations.

For above average loading requirements, a frame, generally designated 70, may be used. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4-7, frame 70 may include a plurality of horizontal support members 71 and a plurality of vertical'support members 72. Support members 71 and 72 may be readily interconnected in a number of different ways, none of which are a part of the present invention. In any event, and by way of example, all of vertical support members 72 may be positioned around wall 12 and then horizontal support members 71 may be connected thereto, such as by welding, or by providing interconnecting fasteners of any type well known in the art. With frame 70 in place, each shelf unit is readily slipped into the slots provided within frame 70.

As shown in FIGS. -7, support members 72 may have attached to the outer surfaces thereof, aligned with support members 71, a plurality of brackets 73 which are connected to support members 72 by rivets 74. Brackets 73 have a shape which conforms to the back of lips 23 and 24 and outer edges 56 and 57 of shelf units 15 and 25-29 so as to align horizontally adjacent shelfunits. Brackets 73 also hold shelf units 15 and 25-29 in place while a heating tool or cement is used to join the edges between adjacent shelf units.

After allof shelf units 15 and 25-29 are positioned within frame 70 and interconnected as described previously, one or more end panels, such as end panel 80, may be used to terminate the ends of vertical stacks of shelf units which do not abut against a corner of wall 12. End panel 80 is a simple planar member having a sidewardly, turned lip 81 at the outer edge thereof having the same configuration as lips 23 and 24 at the sides of shelf units 15 and 25-29, so as to form a termination therefor. The inner edge of end panel 80 may terminate normal to wall 12 or may have an inwardly or outwardly turned lip, as desired.

Shelf units 15 and 25-29 and shelf section of shelving system 10 may be fabricated of any material of construction adapted for fabrication of one piece, three dimensional structures. While the shelf units and shelf sections may be made from metallic materials, they are preferably formed from structural thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. Such materials have excellent fire resistance, a high strength modulus with exceptional shock, sound and thermal insulating qualities, long term resistance to abrasion, chemicals, acids, alkalis, salt, grease, and oil, and are adapted to be preformed in colors which will last permanently.

It can therefore be seen that in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a modular shelving system 10 having all of the advantages of the Butler display unit and all of the advantages of the shelving system of our beforementioned co-pending application, but further being ideally suited for the storage of food products. Shelving system 10 supports food containers in a'manner which permits complete air circulation therearound to insure even cooling of the food products therein. Shelving system 10 prevents contact between the food containers and rear surface 16 and end walls 21 and 22, preventing food accumulation and the growth of bacteria. Shelving system 10 conducts fluids whicll'drip onto lower surfaces 18 via grooves and troughs to a central accumulation point. Shelf units 15 and 25-29 are easy to clean and maintain clean.

While the invention has been described with respect to the preferred physical embodiments constructed in accordance therewith, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is tobe understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrative embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim: 1. A modular shelf unit comprising: a planar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of said upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively, said lower surface having grooves made integral therewith, said grooves extending in parallel, spaced-apart relationship from said rear surface to said outer edge of said lower surface; and

a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of said upper, lower and rear surfaces, the outer edges of said end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with said lips of said upper and lower surfaces.

2. A shelf section comprising:

a plurality of modular shelf units, each of said shelf units comprising:

a planar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface;

upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said rearsurface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of said upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively; and

a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of said upper, lower and rear surfaces, the outer edges of said end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with said lips of said upper and lower surfaces;

said modular shelf units being positioned in vertically aligned relationship, the downwardly turned lip of the lower surface of each shelf unit except the lowermost one being made integral with the upwardly turned lip of the upper surface of the shelf unit positioned immediately therebelow, the sidewardly turned lip on each side of each shelf unit being made integral with the sidewardly turned lips on the same sides of all other shelf units.

3. A modular shelf unit for mounting to a corner of a vertically disposed support surface comprising:

a planar, generally L-shaped rear surface adapted for mounting to said corner of said vertically disposed support surface;

upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper. and lower edges, respectively, of said rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of said upper and lower surfaces being generally L-shaped and terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respec tively; and

a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of said upper, lower and rear surfaces, said end walls being generally perpendicular to each other, the outer edges of said end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with said lips of said upper and lower surfaces.

4. A modular shelving system comprising:

a plurality of modular shelf units, each of said shelf units comprising:

a planar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface;

upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of said upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively; and

a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of said upper, lower and rear surfaces, the outer edges of said end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with said lips of said upper and lower surfaces;

said shelf units being stackable vertically and horizontally with the rear surfaces thereof contacting said vertically disposed support surface;

the rear surface of some of said shelf units being entirely planar for mounting to planar sections of said vertically disposed support surface; and

the rear surface of others of said shelf units being generally L-shaped for mounting to both inside and outside corners of said vertically disposed support surface, the outer edges of the upper and lower surfaces of such shelf units also being generally L- shaped, and the end walls of such shelf units being perpendicular to each other.

5. A modular shelf unit according to claim 1 wherein said lower surface is perpendicular to said rear surface so as to extend horizontally and wherein the base of each groove is sloped forwardly to permit drainage of fluids on said lower surface.

6. A modular shelf unit according to claim 5 wherein said outer edge of said lower surface terminates in an upwardly facing, generally U-shaped trough to receive the fluids conducted to said outer edge of said lower surface by said sloped grooves.

7. A modular shelf unit according to claim 6 further comprising:

a plurality of stand-off abutments made integral with said rear surface and said end walls, said abutments in said end walls extending towards each other and said abutments in said rear surface extending towards said outer edge of said lower surface, said stand-off abutments preventing contact between objects resting on said lower surface and said end walls and said rear surface.

8. A modular shelving system comprising:

a plurality of modular shelf units according to claim 6, said shelf units being stackable vertically with the respective rear surfaces and end walls thereof coplanar, with the upper and lower surfaces generally parallel, and with the upwardly turned lip of the upper surface of each shelf unit except the uppermost one contacting the U-shaped trough of the lower surface of the shelf unit positioned immediately thereabove.

9. A modular shelving system according to claim 8 further comprising:

a plurality of said vertically stacked shelf units, the sidewardly turned lips of the end walls of adjacent shelf units being in contact with said troughs positioned end to end thereby forming a plurality of continuous troughs from one vertical stack to another, and wherein each U-shaped trough of each shelf unit has a pair of openings at the opposite ends thereof, adjacent said sidewardly turned lips, adjacent openings of horizontally aligned shelf units joining to form a single opening in said continuous troughs between said adjacent shelf units.

10. A modular shelving system according to claim 9 wherein the outer edge of each sidewardly turned lip of each end wall of each shelf unit is offset rearwardly by an amount at least equal to the thickness of said lips, adjacent contacting sidewardly turned lips of adjacent horizontally aligned shelf units forming a vertical channel for permitting vertical drainage of fluids passing through said openings in said troughs.

11. A modular shelf unit according to claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of stand-off abutments made integral with said rear surface and said end walls, said abutments in said end walls extending towards each other and said abutments in said rear surface extending towards said outer edge of said lower surface, said stand-off abutments preventing contact between objects resting on said lower surface and said end walls and said rear surface.

12. A shelf section according to claim 2 wherein all of the sidewardly turned lips of all of said shelf units are made integral with each other and the upwardly turned lip of the uppermost shelf unit and the downwardly turned lip of the lowermost shelf unit.

13. A shelf section according to claim 2 wherein said lower surface of each shelf unit has grooves made integral therewith, said grooves extending in parallel, spaced apart relationship from said rear surface to said outer edge of said lower surfaces.

14. A shelf section according to claim 13 wherein said lower surface of each shelf unit is perpendicular to said rear surface thereof so as to extend horizontally and wherein the base of each groove is sloped forwardly to permit drainage of fluids on said lower surfaces.

15. A shelf section according to claim 13 further comprising:

a plurality of stand-off abutments made integral with said rear surfaces and said end walls of said shelf units, said abutments and said end walls extending towards each other and said abutments in said rear surfaces extending towards said outer edges of said lower surfaces, said stand-off abutments preventing contact between objects resting on said lower surfaces and said end walls and said rear surfaces.

16. A modular shelf unit according to claim 3 wherein a portion of said rear surface extends forwardly from the remainder thereof for mounting to an inside corner of said vertically disposed support surface.

17. A modular shelf unit according to claim 3 wherein a portion of said rear surface extends rearwardly from the remainder thereof for mounting to an outside corner of said vertically disposed support surface. 

1. A modular shelf unit comprising: a planar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of said upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively, said lower surface having grooves made integral therewith, said grooves extending in parallel, spaced-apart relationship from said rear surface to said outer edge of said lower surface; and a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of said upper, lower and rear surfaces, the outer edges of said end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with said lips of said upper and lower surfaces.
 2. A shelf section comprising: a plurality of modular shElf units, each of said shelf units comprising: a planar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of said upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively; and a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of said upper, lower and rear surfaces, the outer edges of said end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with said lips of said upper and lower surfaces; said modular shelf units being positioned in vertically aligned relationship, the downwardly turned lip of the lower surface of each shelf unit except the lowermost one being made integral with the upwardly turned lip of the upper surface of the shelf unit positioned immediately therebelow, the sidewardly turned lip on each side of each shelf unit being made integral with the sidewardly turned lips on the same sides of all other shelf units.
 3. A modular shelf unit for mounting to a corner of a vertically disposed support surface comprising: a planar, generally L-shaped rear surface adapted for mounting to said corner of said vertically disposed support surface; upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of said upper and lower surfaces being generally L-shaped and terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively; and a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of said upper, lower and rear surfaces, said end walls being generally perpendicular to each other, the outer edges of said end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with said lips of said upper and lower surfaces.
 4. A modular shelving system comprising: a plurality of modular shelf units, each of said shelf units comprising: a planar rear surface adapted for mounting to a vertically disposed support surface; upper and lower planar surfaces made integral with the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said rear surface and extending generally perpendicular thereto, the outer edges of said upper and lower surfaces terminating in upwardly and downwardly turned lips, respectively; and a pair of planar end walls made integral with the side edges of said upper, lower and rear surfaces, the outer edges of said end walls terminating in sidewardly, outwardly turned lips made integral with said lips of said upper and lower surfaces; said shelf units being stackable vertically and horizontally with the rear surfaces thereof contacting said vertically disposed support surface; the rear surface of some of said shelf units being entirely planar for mounting to planar sections of said vertically disposed support surface; and the rear surface of others of said shelf units being generally L-shaped for mounting to both inside and outside corners of said vertically disposed support surface, the outer edges of the upper and lower surfaces of such shelf units also being generally L-shaped, and the end walls of such shelf units being perpendicular to each other.
 5. A modular shelf unit according to claim 1 wherein said lower surface is perpendicular to said rear surface so as to extend horizontally and wherein the base of each groove is sloped forwardly to permit drainage of fluids on said lower surface.
 6. A modular shelf unit according to claim 5 wherein said outer edge of said lower surface terminates in an upwardly facing, generally U-shaped trough to receive the fluids conducted to said outer edge of said lower surface by said sloped grooves.
 7. A modular shelf unit according to claim 6 further comprising: a plurality of stand-off abutments made integral with said rear surface and said eNd walls, said abutments in said end walls extending towards each other and said abutments in said rear surface extending towards said outer edge of said lower surface, said stand-off abutments preventing contact between objects resting on said lower surface and said end walls and said rear surface.
 8. A modular shelving system comprising: a plurality of modular shelf units according to claim 6, said shelf units being stackable vertically with the respective rear surfaces and end walls thereof coplanar, with the upper and lower surfaces generally parallel, and with the upwardly turned lip of the upper surface of each shelf unit except the uppermost one contacting the U-shaped trough of the lower surface of the shelf unit positioned immediately thereabove.
 9. A modular shelving system according to claim 8 further comprising: a plurality of said vertically stacked shelf units, the sidewardly turned lips of the end walls of adjacent shelf units being in contact with said troughs positioned end to end thereby forming a plurality of continuous troughs from one vertical stack to another, and wherein each U-shaped trough of each shelf unit has a pair of openings at the opposite ends thereof, adjacent said sidewardly turned lips, adjacent openings of horizontally aligned shelf units joining to form a single opening in said continuous troughs between said adjacent shelf units.
 10. A modular shelving system according to claim 9 wherein the outer edge of each sidewardly turned lip of each end wall of each shelf unit is offset rearwardly by an amount at least equal to the thickness of said lips, adjacent contacting sidewardly turned lips of adjacent horizontally aligned shelf units forming a vertical channel for permitting vertical drainage of fluids passing through said openings in said troughs.
 11. A modular shelf unit according to claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of stand-off abutments made integral with said rear surface and said end walls, said abutments in said end walls extending towards each other and said abutments in said rear surface extending towards said outer edge of said lower surface, said stand-off abutments preventing contact between objects resting on said lower surface and said end walls and said rear surface.
 12. A shelf section according to claim 2 wherein all of the sidewardly turned lips of all of said shelf units are made integral with each other and the upwardly turned lip of the uppermost shelf unit and the downwardly turned lip of the lowermost shelf unit.
 13. A shelf section according to claim 2 wherein said lower surface of each shelf unit has grooves made integral therewith, said grooves extending in parallel, spaced apart relationship from said rear surface to said outer edge of said lower surfaces.
 14. A shelf section according to claim 13 wherein said lower surface of each shelf unit is perpendicular to said rear surface thereof so as to extend horizontally and wherein the base of each groove is sloped forwardly to permit drainage of fluids on said lower surfaces.
 15. A shelf section according to claim 13 further comprising: a plurality of stand-off abutments made integral with said rear surfaces and said end walls of said shelf units, said abutments and said end walls extending towards each other and said abutments in said rear surfaces extending towards said outer edges of said lower surfaces, said stand-off abutments preventing contact between objects resting on said lower surfaces and said end walls and said rear surfaces.
 16. A modular shelf unit according to claim 3 wherein a portion of said rear surface extends forwardly from the remainder thereof for mounting to an inside corner of said vertically disposed support surface.
 17. A modular shelf unit according to claim 3 wherein a portion of said rear surface extends rearwardly from the remainder thereof for mounting to an outside corner of said vertically disposed support surface. 